Glow Powder Documentation

Photoluminescent glow powder (pigment) strontium aluminate is a new type of environmentally friendly alkaline earth aluminate. It is non-toxic and non-radioactive. Pigment particles are charged (excited) by most any visible light or instantaneously by ultraviolet light. Photo luminescent pigment then releases energy in the form of visible light (glowing in the dark) for as long as 24 hours, depending on the color. Photo luminescent pigments provide a duty-cycle operation with a very high ratio of glow time to charging time required. The glow intensity (luminosity) and after-glow time are over 30 times greater than traditional ZnS (zinc sulfide) or commonly sold retail store products.

The Techno Glow series includes photo luminescent pigment and paint. We have the best performing luminous powder and paint lines in the United States and throughout the world. Techno Glow can supply pigments in a wide range of colors and specifications. Our rigorous quality control system ensures that our products have highly stable characteristic and quality. We welcome customized orders manufactured to client specifications.

Characteristics

Safe for normal uses as it contains no radioactive or toxic materials.

Long glow time. Compared with previous photo storage materials, it has up to 50 times longer emission (glow) time.

High initial brilliance. Initial luminance of up to 40,000 mcd/m2.

High durability. Long shelf life if the crystalline structure is not damaged.

Outdoor usage. Suitable for outdoor usage as it does not suffer luminance reduction even when placed under a 300-watt high-pressure mercury lamp for 1000 hours.

Stable Chemical Reaction. Not-encapsulated powder is stable as it is resistant to most anhydrous chemicals, both organic and inorganic. However, it will decompose into metal oxide and lose its luminance when brought into contact with water. Waterproof powder should be used for high water content mediums such as kids water paint. Most resin, epoxy, silicone and acrylic paints can be used with our not-encapsulated pigment and brighter pigment.

Temperature Resistance. The performance and brilliance remain stable under temperature of nearly 600℃. No decrease in performance even when tested at temperatures of as low as -40℃. High durability.

Our pigments and paints have been used at hospitals, shops, schools and universities, stadiums, mines, hotels, harbors, ships, amusement parks, movie sets, Broadway shows, parks, highways, airports, restaurants, retirement homes, night clubs, farms, warehouses, and factories. Make your school or workplace safe! Apply a photo luminescent safety exit strategy. The international building code already adopted the idea and such measurements by code are now being accepted as law in many countries.

Events

Use our pigment to set the mood for special events such as holiday parties, raves, hunting, hiking, weddings, and many more! Techno Glow pigments and paints can create an ambient environment direct lights can’t. Make a memorable impression on guests by giving them an experience they won’t soon forget!

Techno Glow powder can be charged, and discharged indefinitely, making them very economical to use. They are the basic ingredient for most glow in the dark products and are used by consumers, businesses, education and government agencies for products, art, scientific purposes, safety and green applications.

Mixing Ratios for Glow in the Dark Powders

We recommend mix ratios between 15% to 33% glow powder. In general, ratios with more than 33% powder to the mix don’t achieve a more drastically bright glow to justify the cost of more glow powder.

1 Kilogram of powder is prefect to mix with 1 gallon of clear drying wall paint. For resin and epoxy, the 20% ratio works well. Pigment will settle to the bottom leaving you with a nice clear top that can be sanded and buffed to your liking. Most clear resins will not block much of any light.

Generally, the higher the ratio of glow in the dark powder to the medium, the brighter the glow and potentially a longer more solid glow. It is also true for multiple layers when possible. Use plastic, ceramic, or glass mixing containers and utensils.

Testing various ratios are recommended for commercial and manufacturing purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Photoluminescence?
Photoluminescent materials (commonly called “glow-in-the-dark”) can absorb and store direct light energy (sunlight, fluorescent, incandescent, etc.) and emit that light energy when there is no longer a direct light source. When ambient darkness occurs, it becomes highly visible, lasting from a few hours to several days depending on the quality and color.
Upon removal of the light source, the stored light is gradually released, the strongest glow is produced during the first 30 minutes of darkness, the most critical period following a power failure or other emergency. It then fades over a period until reintroduced a direct light source, so it may store energy again. This means the photo luminescence process is “circulatory”.
The bases of most photo luminescent products are photo luminescent pigments that can be incorporated into powder coat, paint, ink, fabric, ceramic glaze or porcelain enamel, glass, flexible and rigid molded plastics. Typical products include self-adhesive flexible vinyl tapes, rigid PVC marker strips, and silk-screened signage. Photo luminescent fabric, enamel-coated sheet metal, and ceramic tiles are also available.

How bright are these glow products?
Many manufacturers refer to the extinction time of their products, which is defined as the time required for the afterglow to diminish to one masb (0.032 mcd/m2, or about 100 times the limit of human perception). In practice, this is very difficult to see unless your eyes are fully dark-adapted, and you are in a completely dark environment.
For practical purposes, luminance of one to two millicandela’s per square meter are more appropriate limits for life safety applications, and even this assumes a smoke-free environment. Thus, zinc sulphide products are useful for perhaps only 30 to 45 minutes after their excitation source has been extinguished. The afterglow of strontium aluminate products, on the other hand, can be visible for several days, sometimes more. All Techno Glow powders are strontium aluminate based unless otherwise specified.
Strontium aluminate products can provide surprising amounts of initial afterglow. For example, a four-inch square of excited material held a few inches away from a magazine page can provide enough light to read by for the first minute or so of afterglow. Micro-prismatic retro reflectors and other brightness enhancing techniques can increase the materials luminance by several times.

Can Photoluminescent products replace traditional emergency lighting?
Light lead photoluminescent materials were originally designed to complement existing emergency lighting systems but continuous improvements in luminance performance mean that in certain circumstances, such as a power outage, high quality photoluminescent products may replace emergency lighting. They can be sited at waist or skirting level, so they can still function if the ceiling lights become obscured by smoke. Similarly, lifesaving appliances and firefighting equipment become more visible and are easily located in an emergency. Some emergency lighting can take up to 15 seconds to activate. In these instances, photoluminesce products will light up immediately.

How do the materials work?
Techno Glow photo luminescent materials contain purpose designed inorganic phosphor compounds that are energized in seconds by the ultra violet and blue light wavelength energy that is present in nearly all light sources. This high-energy source is converted into a lower energy source of light. The lower energy light source is yellow-green, the color most readily perceived by the human eye and as specified by safety signs standards. Techno Glow photo luminescent materials are non-radioactive, non-toxic, and provide a strong light source. They are also self-extinguishing, so they carry on working when they are most needed.
Photo luminescent materials differ from reflective materials, which amplify and increase relative brightness when light is applied. Fluorescent materials are quite different from photoluminescent materials. Fluorescent materials (such as the 3M fluorescent work zone film or a “hot pink” tag) borrow light energy in nearby wavelengths and concentrate the amount of light returning to the viewer in a certain (for example, day-glow orange) wavelength. Fluorescent films are especially useful in dawn and dusk viewing times, when they appear particularly bright. Photoluminescent materials require prior exposure to a light source to glow in the dark.

Is it environmentally friendly?
Photo luminescent materials are non-toxic, non-radioactive and contain no phosphorus, lead, or any other hazardous chemicals.

Information on Ecological Effects
Pigment is chemically and biological inert. As it does not contain soluble heavy metals, the product does not cause ecological or toxicological problems like other compounds containing heavy metals.

Information Concerning Disposal
Pigment can be one of additives and added into many medium, such as coat, paint, ink plastic, glass, ceramic etc. Pigment can repeatedly absorb energy and emit visible light for over 20 years without any perceivable change of its properties.

Information concerning Transport
Dangerous Good in the Sense of the Transport Regulations: NO.

This is a glow in the dark product that facilitates safety through visibility.

Further Information
This information, which describe our products as to possible security requirements, is based on the present state of our knowledge and experience. It is given in good faith, but no warranty, expressed or implied, in respect of the quality and properties of our product are made.

This material safety data sheet (MSDS) has been prepared in compliance with United States Federal OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) Hazard Communication Standard 29 CFR 1910.1200. This product is considered to be a non-hazardous substance under that standard.